Santa Barbara County Wildfire Action Plan

If you live in the Wildland and Urban Interface area, then you are in danger of experiencing a wildfire.

Download this guide to develop your Wildfire Action Plan.

Sheltering in place, or staying to defend your home, requires considerable planning and Fire agencies cannot make that decision for you.
It’s up to you to determine whether you are capable of staying and defending your home.
Please remember that during wildfires, evacuations are put in place to protect lives.
Your property can be replaced, but your life cannot.
We strongly recommend that you evacuate when told to do so by authorities.

Hazard Reduction and Reducing Fire Hazards Around Your Home

A "defensible" space of 100 feet around your home is required by law*. The goal is to create an area to assist in the protection of your home and to protect the lives of firefighters. The Defensible Space around your home is critical in stopping a wildfire before it destroys your home. It is the responsibility of every homeowner to learn how to make your home "fire safe".

Every year the County Fire Department sends notices to abate fire hazards to the owners of all properties in county fire jurisdiction that potentially pose a fire hazard, in conjunction with public education efforts through media outlets such as local television stations and newspapers. These notices indicate the start of yearly weed abatement requirements. Property owners have approximately three weeks to meet the requirements for clearing property outlined in the notice for their property.

A misdemeanor citation is issued to all property owners that do not comply by the compliance date. Issuance of a misdemeanor citation may require an appearance in court. If for any reason the County Fire Department is forced to abate a fire hazard, the owner will pay all costs involved, which will be added to the taxes assessed against the property.
Please visit our "Related Links" in the right hand column for more information.

* These regulations affect most of the grass, brush, and timber-covered private lands in the State. Some fire department jurisdictions may have additional requirements. Some activities may require permits for tree removal. Also, some activities may require special procedures for, 1) threatened and endangered species, 2) avoiding erosion, and 3) protection of water quality. Check with local officials if in doubt. Current regulations allow an insurance company to require additional clearance. The area to be treated does not extend beyond your property. The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection has approved Guidelines to assist you in complying with the new law.

For more information call Engineer-Inspector Jay Snodgrass at (805) 686-8164